Bottle carrier



March 9, 1948. L. 1. SMITH I 2,437667 BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Dec. 8, 19442 Sheets-Sheet 2 H" (d I] 10 106 909 30 Patented Mar. 9, 1948 .BOTTLECARRIER Leicester I. Smith, West Hartford, Conn, assignor of one-half toMarion R. Guthrie, Hartford,

Conn.

Application December 8, 1944, Serial No. 567,196

'2 Claims. (01. ear-s7) My invention relates to carry devices and moreparticularly to a device for carrying one or more bottles,'glasses,jars, and other utensils which either have necks with rims or heads, orhave a flange at their tops larger in circumference than the bottomthereof suflicient to prevent them from passing through the apertures ofthe device when closed or locked into position by a. selflockingmechanism hereinafter described.

Beverage companies and others have introduced into the merchandising oftheir products, the six-bottle sale unit, particularly for homeconsumption.

Thi unit, generally, has been prepared for convenient delivery to andcarrying by the customer by providing a, heavy paper sack or paste-boardcontainer having handles, or by folding paper cartons which provide aconvenient carrying handle, or cartons or carrying devices that do nothold the bottles in a rigidly fixed position, or which are not adaptableto carrying bottles unless the device is full, or which will not worksatisfactorily unless one bottle is opposite another when only partiallyfilled.

All of the methods heretofore in use are unsatisfactory because theyhave certain serious disadvantages. Paper cartons and paste-boarddevices are vulnerable to wet and dampness and are unsanitary due tocollecting oil, germs, dust, grime and other impurities in the storesand while in the home. The other type of such devices do not hold thebottles rigidly, when full, and are not suitable to carrying them whenpartly empty because it is almost impossible to arrange the bottles orother utensils therein so that one or all of the bottles will not fallout of the device. This results in breakage of the bottles or utensilsin handling and defeats the main purposes of such devices which aresimplicity, convenience and immunity from breakage from collisiontogether; because in a full carton the bottles are not rigidly held andcollisions together are apt to occur, while in a partly filled carton,there is complexity of arrangement, loose bottles that collide togetherand wear or break, and danger that all will fall out and break in beingdropped in the process of carrying or handling.

The general object of the invention is to provide a, carrier for'bottlesand similar articles adapted to be used in lieu of the above referred tocarriers heretofore commonly used, and free from the objections anddisadvantages that have been pointed Out;

A further object of the invention is to provide a carrier of the classdescribed which is simple in construction, easy to operate, inexpensiveto manufacture, requires no scarce materials, and is easy and efficientin operation; and which makes a neat attractive package of long life andfully displays the packaged goods.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to providevarious details of structure which are advantageous in attaining thebefore mentioned general objects.

Other and further objects of my invention will become more readilyapparent by references to the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing I have shown in detail a preferred embodiment of theinvention, but it will be understood that various changes may be madefrom the construction shown, and that the drawing is not to be construedas confining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forminga part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one of the apertured bottle receiving plates ofthe main frame.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the entire main frame and parts carriedthereby.

Fig, 3 is a detail view of the several auxiliary plates of the mainframe and of other parts carried thereby.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the handle member.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the carrier with the handle member in depressedposition and with the carrier in place on a group of bottles.

Fig. 5 is a side view similar to Fig. 5 but with the handle member inelevated position and with the carrier in position to carry the group ofhottles.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a carrying device forsupporting two rows of bottles, with three bottles in each row, and isparticularly adapted to the popular six-bottle unit of bottled beveragesfor home consumption, but my device is adaptable to any number ofbottles or utensils arranged in any number of rows, or singly. The termbottles is herein used in a generic sense, and is to be construedasjincluding glasses, jars and other articles having necks with heads orrims.

The carrying device comprises a main frame including similar top andbottom plates 5, .6. each provided with a plurality of holes 8, 8therein adapted to receive the headed necks of the bottles to becarried. When'six bottles are to be carried the holes are arranged intwo rows of three each. The plates"5,'6 are provided with 3 registeringcentral slots 1 which are parallel with the rows of holes and midwaybetween them.

The main frame also includes end plates II and Ill and side strips I3,I3, all shown in Fig. 3, these being positioned between the top andbottom plates 6, 6 and serving as spacers therefor. In the assembledmain frame the outer edges of the said. members I8, I8 and I3, I3.register with the outer edges of the plates 5, 6. The inner edges of theplates Ill and Ill are provided with semi-circular recesses whichregister respectively with the end holes 8, 8 in the plates 6, 6 andthey are provided with notches 9,9 which registerwith the end portionsof the slots 1,1.

The handle member 5 shown in detail in Fig.

4 is a flat plate, preferably formed of material similar to that usedfor the frame-member, and it is provided near its top with a horizontalslot I6 to accommodate the fingers of the person carrying the device.The width and thickness of the plate are such that it will approximatelyfit the slots 1 in the main frame, but with sufficient clearance topermit free movement. The lower portion of the handle member is providedwith a plurality of inclined slots for a purpose to be described.Preferably there are four slots I5, I5 and I5, I5, each having paralleledges. edges of the outer slots I5, I5 are inclined downward and outwardand the edges of the inner slotsv Ili I5 are inclined downward andinward. The slots I5, I5havea downward tapered section I! between them,and the slots I5'and I5 of each pair have an upward tapered section II'between them. Positioned in the space between the top and bottom plates6, Sci the main frame and bounded by end plates I5, Ill and the sidestrips I3, I3 are movable bottle gripping, means. This bottle gripping,means may be varied as to details, but preferably and'as shown, itcomprises four plates IO I8 I 8 and IIl which are movablelongitudinallyof the main frame within controlled limits, The outer edges of'the outerplates I9 and Ill areprovided with semi-circular recesses which areopposite the recesses in the respective plates Ill and I8. When theseplates are moved to their outermost positions the edge portions thereofat the said recesses partly obstruct the end openings 8, 8 in the mainframe and will engage the necks of bottles in the said openings. Theinner plates I 0' and IIl are provided at their inner edges, with. oppoed semi-circular. recesses similar to. the recesses in the plates Illand I0 and when the plates are moved to their innermost positions theedge portions thereof at the said recesses partly obstruct the centralopenings 8, 8. in the main frame and willengage the necks of bottles inthe said openings.

The several plates I8 I 0, Ill and It are provided with oppositely.disposed notches 9, 9 which are in register with the slots I in the topand bottomv plates 6. The portions of the plates Ill and Ill. betweenthenotches 9, 9 therein are of such width astofit. the respective slots I5,I5 in. the handle member 5; The portions of the plates I 8 and. llli'between the notches 9, 9 therein are of such width as to fit therespective slots I55, I5 in thehandle member 5. The slots in the handlemember and the slot fitting portions of the platesconstituteinterengaging means for moving the plates. when the handlemember is m0ved,.all asmorefully. explained hereinafter.

The carrying device. is assembled by inserting the severallplates I89,In I0 and Ill in the respective slots I5, I5 I5, and I5 of the handleThe member 5 and then turning the plates so that the portions thereofbetween the notches 8, 8 are entered in the several slots I5, I5 I5 andI5. With the movable plates thus assembled with the handle member theyare engaged with the bottom plate 6, the handle member 5 then extendingthrough the slot 1 in the saidbottom plate. Then the end plates 18 andI8 and the side strips I3, I3 are put in place. Finally the top plate 6'is moved downward over the handle member with the handle memberextending through the slot 1 therein. With the parts thus assembled thetop and bottom plates are connected with each other and. with the endplates I0, II! and the side strips. I3, I3. This connection ispreferably effected by means of rivets extending through the topandbottom plate and through the endplates and side strips.

When the carrying device is to be engaged with a group of bottles thehandle member is moved downward relatively to th'emain frame, as shownin Fig. 5. Inasmuch'as the portions of the plates Iii and I8? betweenthe notches 8, 9 are entered in the slots I5, I5 of the handle member,the said plates are moved toward the center and the semi-circularlyrecessed portions of the said plates are thus moved out of register withthe end holes 8, 8 in the main frame. Similarly, the portions of theplates 1 and I 8 between the notches 9, 9 are entered inthe slots I5, I5of the handle member, and the plates are moved away from the center andth semi-circularly recessed portions of the said plates are thus movedout of register with the central holes 8, 8 in the main frame. Thus allof the holes 8, 8 are unobstructed and the main frame can be moved.downward .over the tops of the bottles as shown in Fig. 5..

After the device'isin. place on. the bottles, as shown in. Fig. 5,the2hand1e. member is moved relatively upward. to the position shown inFig; 5 with the result that the sliding plates IO a-nd I9 are moved awayfiom the center so as to partly obstruct the endopenings 8, 8 in themain frame andto engage the necks'of the bottles in such holesbelowthetop rims or heads thereof. Similarly, the'slidingplates I8 and I8 are moved toward the center'so' as to partly obstruct the centralholes 8, 8 in the main frame and to engage'the' necks of'the centralbottles in such holes below-the top rims or head'sthereof'. Thus all ofthe bottle are grinned. and held in the main frame and"they can -becarried safely by means of the. handle-member.-

When it is desired to release thev bottles, or any of themthe. handle ispermittedto return to the lower position. shown in Fig. .5, and with theparts of the .devicein-this. relative position, movable plates aremovedoutof bottleengaging positions and the entire. device can befreelylifted ofi from the bottles.

Having, described my, inventiomwhat I claim as new and desirerto-seoure:by Letters Patentof the United States 15:.

In a d vice:forcarryinsbottles. the-combo nation of a horizontal mainframe havinstw parallel rows of holes. for :receiving'theheaded necksofv the bottles andalso hail-mas ongitudinalvertical.slot-.parallel-withthe rows and between them, a handle membermovable vertically through the slot in the frame and having a pluralityof inclined slots thereim and aplurality of plates carried'by the mainframe and guided for horizontal movement to partly close the holes andgrip the necks of the bottles below their heads, the said plates havingportions fitting the respective slots in the handle member so that theplates are moved into and out of bottle'gripping positions when thehandle member is moved relatively upward and downward.

2. In a device for carrying bottles, the combination of a horizontalmain frame having two parallel rows of holes for receiving the headednecks of the bottles and also having a longitudinal vertical slotparallel with the rows and between them, :a handle member movablevertically through the slot in the frame and having a plurality ofinclined slots therein, and a plurality of plates carried by the mainframe and guided for horizontal movement to partly close the holes andgrip the necks of the bottles below their heads, the said platesextending through the respective slots in the handle member and havingbottle engaging portions at each side of the handle member and the saidplates having portions fitting the respective slots in the handle memberso that the plates are moved into and out of bottle gripping positionswhen the handle member is moved relatively upward and downward.

3. In a device for carrying bottles, the combination of a horizontalmain frame having two parallel rows of holes for receiving the headednecks of the bottles and also having a longitudinal vertical slotparallel with the rows and between them, a handle member movablevertically through the slot in the frame, two bottle engaging platescarried by the main frame and movable longitudinally of the rows topartly close the holes and grip the necks of the bottles below theirheads, and interengaging means on the handle member and on the platesfor moving the plates in opposite directions into and out of bottlegripping positions when the handle member is moved relatively upward anddownward.

4. In a device for carrying bottles, the combination of a horizontalmain frame having two parallel rows of holes for receiving the headednecks of the bottles and also having a longitudinal vertical slotparallel with the rows and between them, :a handle member movablevertically through the slot in the frame and having two oppositelyinclined slots therein, and two bottle engaging plates carried by themain frame and movable longitudinally of the rows to partly close theholes and grip the necks of the bottles below their heads, the saidplates having portions fitting the respective slots in the handle memberso that the plates are moved in opposite directions into and out ofbottle gripping positions when the handle member is moved relativelyupward and downward.

5. In a device for carrying bottles, the combination of a horizontalmain frame having two parallel rows of holes for receiving the headednecks of the bottles and also having a longitudinal vertical slotparallel with the rows and between them, a handle member movablevertically through the slot in the frame and having two oppositelyinclined slots therein, and two bottle engaging plates carried by themain frame and movable longitudinally of the rows to partly close theholes and grip the necks of the bottles below their heads, the saidplates extending through the respective slots in the handle member andhaving bottle engaging portions at each side of the handle member andthe said plates having portions fitting the respective slots in thehandle member so that the plates are moved in opposite directions intoand out of bottle gripping positions when the handle member is movedrelatively upward and downward.

6. In a device for carrying bottles, the combination of a main framecomprising similar spaced top and bottom main plates each having twoparallel rows of holes for receiving the headed necks of bottles to becarried and each having a longitudinal vertical slot parallel with therows and between them, the said main frame also comprising spacingmembers between the top and bottom plates at both ends and at both sidesthereof, a handle member movable vertically through the slot in theframe, a plurality of plates movable in the space between the top andbottom plates of the frame and between the end and side members thereof,the said movable plates being adapted to partly close the holes in thetop and bottom plates and grip the necks of the bottles below theirheads, and interengaging means on the handle and On the bottle grippingplates for moving the said plates into and out of bottle grippingpositions when the handle movable member is moved relatively upward anddownward,

7. In a device for carrying bottles, the combination of a main framecomprising similar spaced top and bottom plates each having two parallelrows of holes for receiving the headed necks of bottles to be carriedand each having a longitudinal vertical slot parallel With the rows andbetween them, the said main frame also comprising end and side spacingmembers between the top and bottom plates, a handle member movablevertically through the slot in the frame and having two oppositelyinclined slots therein, and two plates movable in the space between thetop and bottom plates of the frame and between the end and side membersthereof, and adapted to partly close the holes in the top and bottomplates and grip the necks of the bottles below their heads, the saidplates extending through the slots in the handle member and havingbottle engaging portions at each side of the handle member and the saidplates having portions fitting the respective slots in the handle memberso that the plates are moved into and out of bottle gripping positionswhen the 'handle member is moved relatively upward and downward.

LEICESTER I. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,943,004 Coppage Jan. 9, 19342,031,866 Thums Feb. 25, 1936 2,240,717 Read May 6, 1941 2,287,731Franks June 23, 1942 2,330,699 Flamm Sept. 28, 1943 2,337,243 HutaifDec. 21, 1943 2,363,180 Haugner Nov. 21, 1944 Certificate of CorrectionPatent No. 2,437,667. March 9, 1948. LEICESTER I. SMITH It is herebycertified that errors appear in the printed specification of the abovenumbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 1, line 1, forthe word carry read carrying; colunm 6, line 27, before plates, secondoccurrence, insert movable; lines 28 and 29, strike out movable; andthat the said Letters Patent should be read with these correctionstherein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of May, A. D. 1948.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

